How to Play Pool

You’ve probably seen a crowd of people have loads of fun at a pool table and have thought to yourself, “That looks like fun, I wish I could join in.” The only problem is you don’t know how to play. Pool tables Toronto can be slightly intimidating but the game of pool is really quite easy to learn.

Before learning the rules, you need to get to know the equipment you’ll be working with. Pool tables generally consist of 9 holes or pockets at the corners and sides of the table. There are a total of 16 balls (17 including the cue ball) but the number of balls used in a single game depends\ on the type of game being played. For instance, in a game of 9-ball (or 10-ball as it’s also known), only 9 balls are used (10 including the cue ball.) The game is played by using pool sticks to strike the cue ball towards the other pool balls in an effort to drop them into the various pockets. The balls are first set up using a triangle to properly arrange the balls according to the type of game being played. Most tables have dots on them to mark the spot where the balls should be placed, with the first ball lined up on the dot. Then, one of the players is chosen (by any means) to “break,” which is when the cue ball is struck from one end of the table to the set up balls on the other end with the objective of spreading the balls all around the table. More info at www.pooltablestoronto.ca

The rules of a game of pool largely depend on the type of game you’re playing. There are several different types of games but the most common is 8-ball. 8-ball involves the players choosing different types of balls for them to sink in respectively, depending on what ball they sink in first. The balls can be divided either by color (solid colors and striped colors) or by number (even and odd numbers). Once the sides have been chosen, each player must then sink in every single ball of that player’s chosen side with the exception of the 8-ball. Once every ball of a player’s side has been sunk, that player must then sink in the 8-ball to win. The first player to do so takes the game.

Pool is a wonderfully fun game to play, especially with a large group of friends to cheer you on. Now, the next time you want to join in on a game, you’ll know exactly what you’re doing. If at first you can’t get the hang of it, just remember that it takes time to develop the skill to become a great player. With a little practice, you’ll see your name in the win column in no time